A significant operation is in progress to safely extract nearly two tonnes of ammonia from a private seafood processing and export unit in Tiruvallur district, where 18 lives were lost due to a gas leak. The operation, taking place at the Punitha Peter Paul seafood processing and export unit in Kannigaipair village, involves evacuating residents within a 500-meter radius and deploying Army personnel, firefighters, and medical teams to mitigate further risks. The remaining ammonia is being carefully transferred into specialized tanker trucks for proper disposal following strict safety measures.
As a precautionary measure, nearby industries have been temporarily closed, and traffic rerouted to aid the operation and reduce public exposure. Various teams including Fire and Rescue Services personnel, disaster response units, and medical staff are on-site to promptly address any emergencies. Tiruvallur District Collector Kavitha has urged the public not to panic, emphasizing that all necessary safety precautions have been implemented for the operation’s safe execution.
The death toll from the incident has now reached 18, with the recent passing of Alati Maharana Juwang, a 29-year-old worker from Odisha who succumbed to her injuries. Fourteen workers remain hospitalized and are under treatment at different medical facilities, with health authorities closely monitoring their progress. The ammonia leak, which occurred on June 21, predominantly affected female workers at the factory, marking it as one of Tamil Nadu’s deadliest industrial accidents in recent times.
Efforts are ongoing to remove any remaining ammonia from the factory to eliminate potential hazards before further investigations and restoration work commence. Army personnel and technical experts are supervising the transfer of ammonia into secure tanker trucks for safe disposal. Authorities have assured that the operation will persist until all ammonia is removed, and the factory premises are deemed entirely safe. This incident has reignited concerns regarding industrial safety standards and emergency readiness at seafood processing units in the state.
